thebahamasweekly.com - Oil Spill reported off Pinder's Point, Grand Bahama

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Grand Bahama
Oil Spill reported off Pinder's Point, Grand Bahama
By Ministry of Transport and Aviation
Feb 19, 2013 - 8:02:37 PM

The public is advised that on Saturday, 16th February, 2013 at approximately 1:15 p.m., officials from BORCO reported that an oil spill had occurred in the vicinity of Pinder’s Point, Grand Bahama. In response to the spill a team comprising officials from BORCO, the Port Department and the Department of Environmental Health Services immediately mobilized to commence clean-up operations and assess the extent of the oil spill. The clean-up operation is on-going with constant monitoring from BORCO and the National Oil Spill Advisory Committee. The oil slick has now diminished and is not visible.

Officials from BORCO report that the pipeline, which is believed to be the source of the spill, contained oily residue as a result of the decommissioning of several pipelines. Bunker C Heavy Fuel Oil was originally pumped through the pipelines.

BORCO reports that approximately three-weeks ago, the petroleum company commenced repairs at a section of the jetty and they closed down seven pipelines and blew-out the lines with water. BORCO further reports that the procedure removed about 95% of the oil from the lines, leaving some oily residue in the pipelines. This will be carefully monitored.

Due to adverse weather conditions, the response team was unable to complete the assessment and clean-up operations; however, an emergency response team including divers is on stand-by to respond as soon as the weather permits. Safety must be the focal point of all operations.

A fly over is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Sunday 17 February, 2013 by members of the National Oil Spill Advisory Committee. It is anticipated that weather conditions will subside by Monday 16 February, 2013.

The National Oil Spill Advisory Committee convened a meeting at approximately 4:00 p.m. today to review the situation and to ensure that mechanisms were in place to adequately respond to this latest incident. The Committee is on stand-by reviewing all actions taken in response to this incident. A full investigation has been launched by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.